Plasma medicine uses non-equilibrium plasmas generated under atmospheric-pressure conditions. Therapeutical plasmas can stimulate tissue regeneration or inactivate cancer cells. This book reviews the interrelation between plasma chemistry and biochemistry complemented by discussion of the ways plasmas inactivate various pathogens. Focus is on the plasma effects on mammalian cells, subsequent consequences for cell-biological processes, and plasma applicability specific medical therapies. Contributions illustrate the ways cold atmospheric-pressure plasma can be used as a controllable source of redox-active species and as a useful tool for research in redox biology. Key Features Summarizes plasma chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology Documents the ways plasmas interact with lipids, membranes, and cells Reviews therapeutic uses of plasmas in medicine Focuses on uses of plasmas as cancer treatment

This book presents the state of the art in clinical plasma medicine and outlines translational research strategies. Written by an international group of authors, it is divided into four parts. Part I is a detailed introduction and includes basic and recent research information on plasma sciences, plasma devices and mechanisms of biological plasma effects. Parts II and III provide valuable clinical insights f.e. into the treatment of superficial contaminations, ulcerations, wounds, treatment of cells in cancer, special indications like in heart surgery, dentistry, palliative treatment in head and neck cancer or the use of plasma in hygiene. Part IV offers information on how and where to qualify in plasma medicine and which companies produce and supply medical devices and is thus of particular interest to medical practitioners. This comprehensive book offers a sciences based practical to the clinical use of plasma and includes an extended selection of scientific medical data and translational literature.

Plasma Medical Science describes the progress that has been made in the field over the past five years, illustrating what readers must know to be successful. As non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma has been applied for a wide variety of medical fields, including wound healing, blood coagulation, and cancer therapy, this book is a timely resource on the topics discussed. - Provides a dedicated reference for this emerging topic - Discusses the state-of-the-art developments in plasma technology - Introduces topics of plasma biophysics and biochemistry that are required to understand the application of the technology for plasma medicine - Brings together diverse experience in this field in one reference text - Provides a roadmap for future developments in the area

This textbook addresses the growing international need for a practical manual that teaches physicians how to apply cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) in the day‐to‐day provision of patient healthcare. The book introduces readers to the concept of CAP, how it works, and how safe it is, before describing several diseases and other medical indications for its application. The book subsequently provides guidelines for daily clinical practice, e.g. for treating chronic wounds, decontaminating infected skin lesions, and rendering multi-resistant bacteria inert, as well as a detailed overview of plasma devices. In closing, it addresses organizational aspects, which are essential to cultivating and maintaining quality standards in the application of cold medical plasma. This textbook offers a unique educational resource and provides relevant information on plasma medicine as an emerging multidisciplinary discipline. Practitioners will appreciate this integrated, comprehensive guide, which is also suitable for advanced students of medicine and dentistry, and for nurses serving on plasma-assisted medical teams.

Cell differentiation and the development of multicellular organisms are processes of self-assembly, controlled and driven by signaling molecules and cascades including redox regulation. These reactions may have provided the energy for the first metabolic steps in the evolution of life. Today, redox modifications are established as important regulatory events in cellular functions including differentiation and development. Redox modifications of single cysteines regulate differentiation of stem cells, formation of functioning organs, and de-differentiation such as formation of cancer cells. Current cancer therapy is based on redox events as well and regeneration often reactivates developmental pathways. Understanding differentiation and de-differentiation on a molecular level is therefore a prerequisite for the continuing development of new medical therapies. This book summarizes the roles of redox regulation in development by bringing together different concepts and comparing similarities and differences between various cell types and species. An international team of contributors presents several new aspects of redox-regulated differentiation and de-differentiation, including aspects of redox medicine. Key Features Provides the first summary on this important topic Reviews redox-dependent development of model organisms and single organs Highlights the redox-regulated pathways important for differentiation processes Illustrates the potential of redox medicine Combines state-of-the-art knowledge in differentiation/development, aging/longevity, and repair/regeneration Written by leading experts in the field Related Titles Ayyanathan, K., ed. Cancer Cell Signaling: Targeting Signaling Pathways Toward Therapeutic Approaches to Cancer (ISBN 978-1-77188-067-1) Clarke, M. & J. Frampton. Stem Cells: Biology and Application (ISBN 9780-8153-4511-4) Lim, W. & B. Mayer. Cell Signaling: Principles and Mechanisms (ISBN 978-0-8153-4244-1) Wong, E., ed. Autophagy and Signaling (ISBN 978-0-367-65772-7)

This book describes the updates that have been made in the field of Plasma Biosciences and Medicine over the past few years. This book provides detailed introduction and includes recent research information on plasma sources and their biological and medical applications. The opening chapters discuss plasmas physics and chemistry and plasma-activated liquids. The later part of the book discusses emerging application in medicine and biology. This book also provides valuable clinical insights into the treatment of ulcerations, wounds, cancer, dentistry, or the use of cold plasma in health and hygiene. Main target audience of this book are researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, government agencies, academicians’, engineers, biologists, medical doctor, biochemists, and industries.

Low-temperature plasmas (LTP) at atmospheric gas pressure play an increasing role in biomedical applications. The experimentally observed benefits of LTP for these applications are attributed to the controllable fluxes of chemically active species that can be produced in air at near room temperatures and delivered to bio-matter to induce desired effects. Recent research on the biomedical applications of LTP has generated new scientific knowledge regarding the interaction of plasma with soft matter including cells, tissues, seeds, and plants. The observed effects of LTP on biological cells are mediated by the plasma-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). These include hydroxyl, OH, atomic oxygen, O, singlet delta oxygen, O2(1Δ), superoxide, O2-, hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, and nitric oxide, NO. Some of these species are known to play important roles in biology serving as signaling molecules in living organisms. When they come in contact with biological cells these species interact with the lipids and proteins of the cell membrane, enter the cell and increase the intracellular ROS concentrations, which can lead to DNA damage and may compromise the integrity of other cell organelles. ROS and RNS can also trigger cell signaling pathways, which can lead to cellular death by apoptosis or necrosis. Other plasma-generated agents that could play biological roles are charged particles (electrons and ions), UV photons, and electric fields.

There is growing interest in the use of physical plasmas (ionized gases) for biomedical applications, especially in the framework of so-called “plasma medicine”, which exploits the action of low-power, atmospheric pressure plasmas for therapeutic purposes. Such plasmas are “cold plasmas”, in the sense that only electrons have a high temperature, whereas ions and the neutral gas particles are at or near room temperature. As a consequence, the “plasma flame” can be directly applied to living matter without appreciable thermal load. Reactive chemical species, charged particles, visible and UV radiation, and electric fields are interaction channels of the plasma with pathogens, cells, and tissues, which can trigger a variety of different responses. Possible applications include disinfection, wound healing, cancer treatment, non-thermal blood coagulation, just to mention some. The understanding of the mechanisms of plasma action on living matter requires a strongly interdisciplinary approach, with competencies ranging from plasma physics and technology to chemistry, to biology and finally to medicine. This book is a collection of work that explores recent advances in this field.

The scientific application of plasma across a variety of fields continues to expand with new research at a remarkable rate. The convergence between plasma science and domains such as energy materials, semiconductor systems, textiles, medicine, agriculture, and space exploration is merely scratching the surface of the known possibilities of this technology. Scientists require a sound understanding of the current state of these possibilities in order to push the technology further into the unknown potential of plasma science. The chapters of the book Emerging Applications of Plasma Science in Allied Technologies coalesce to form a holistic panorama of innovations, encompassing everything from sustainable energy solutions to antimicrobial applications. This book stands as a definitive guide to the forefront of innovation and offers a comprehensive dive into the profound impacts of plasma science across diverse fields, presenting a synthesis of cutting-edge research and development. It opens with a meticulous overview of the foundational principles underpinning plasma science, serving as a springboard for the exploration of its myriad applications. From fundamental physics and mechanisms to innovative designs and allied technologies, the pages illuminate the multifaceted dimensions of plasma-based advancements. Plasma technology catalyzes advancements in modern medicine and healthcare. The intricate interplay between plasma-based treatments and living tissues is dissected, revealing a landscape where innovation bridges the gap between science fiction and reality. This book unpacks the critical role of plasma science in the eco-friendly conversion of carbon dioxide, thereby offering a beacon of hope in the struggle against climate change. This book is a trailblazing resource for academics, researchers, and postgraduate students, offering a comprehensive foundation in this groundbreaking field. Industry professionals, from biomedical engineers to agricultural innovators, will find a treasure trove of insights to fuel their work. This book beckons policymakers and visionaries to comprehend the potential of plasma science in steering humanity toward sustainable, cleaner, and healthier futures.

Non-equilibrium plasma (or low-temperature plasma, LTP) offers a chemically rich medium without the need for high power and elevated temperatures. This unique characteristic has made LTP very useful for various industrial and biomedical applications where thermal effects are not desirable. In addition, the relative simplicity of the design of sources capable of generating non-equilibrium plasma at atmospheric pressure makes LTP a very attractive technology that can accomplish the same or better results than much more complex and expensive approaches. This book describes various low-temperature plasma sources and some of their environmental and biomedical applications. The plasma sources covered in this book include low-temperature plasma jets which are novel devices that can launch low-power, low-temperature plasma plumes in ambient air. These plasma plumes can accurately and reliably be aimed at a surface to be treated or at a biological target such as cells and tissues. The application of these plasma jets in medicine, including in cancer therapy, are thoroughly discussed in this book. The contents of this book will appeal to engineers, medical experts, academics, and students who work with plasma technology.